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Founders & Charter
Members Ohio Legislative Black Caucus (Formerly
known as The Black Elected Democrats of
Ohio) | |
| Representative Clarence Joseph “C.J.”
McLin House: 1967-1988 (107th-117th General Assemblies) Home: Dayton Occupation(s): Mortician Political Party: Democrat McLin sponsored legislation establishing the Wright State University Schools of Medicine and Professional Psychology, the Dayton Career Academy for Vocational Rehabilitation, the Miami Valley Regional Art and Cultural Council, and the Renewal of Downtown Dayton. State funding for the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio is one of McLin's greatest legacies. McLin was the founding leader of Black Elected Democrats of Ohio. He became its first and longest serving president in 1967. | |
| | Representative William L.
Mallory House: 1967-1994 (107th-120th General Assemblies) Home: Hamilton County Occupation(s): Teacher, Attorney Political Party: Democrat As majority leader in the House for nineteen years (1975-1994), Mallory was the highest-ranking African American member of the General Assembly and held the third-ranking leadership position in the House. Altogether, Mallory served in the House for twenty-eight years. Mallory served as president of the Black Elected Democrats from |
| | Senator William F. “Bill” Bowen
Senate: 1970-1994 (108th-120th General Assemblies) House: 1967-1970 (107th-108th General Assemblies) Home: Hamilton County Occupation(s): Businessman Political Party: Democrat Bowen was the driving force behind the legislation that established state set-asides, resulting in the awarding of state contracts to minority contractors. He was officially recognized by the 107th General Assembly for outstanding leadership during the race riots in Cincinnati in the late 1960s. |
| Representative Phale D. Hale
House: 1967-1980 (107th-113th General Assemblies) Home: Franklin County Occupation(s): Clergyman Political Party: Democrat During his tenure Hale became deputy director of the Democratic National Committee, Chairman of Human Resources in the Ohio House of Representatives, a member of the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, and Coordinator for the Clergy for the Black Elected Officials of Ohio. In 1995, Hale again became a member of the Democratic National Committee, this time through appointment by President Clinton. | |
| | Representative Thomas E.
Hill House: 1967-1970 (107th-108th General Assemblies) Home: Cuyahoga County Occupation(s): Salesman, Painter, Employee Relations Specialist Political Party: Democrat Hill was very active in local politics and community organizations. He was a member of the Sixth District Citizens Committee, the Glenville Area Council, the Metropolitan Civil Association, the Glenville Civic Association, and the 27th Ward Democratic Club. He was also active in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the political action club CHAMPS, and the Young Men's Christian Association. |
| | Senator M. Morris
Jackson Senate: 1967-1984 (107th-115 General Assemblies) Home: Cuyahoga County Occupation(s): Real Estate Broker Political Party: Democrat In the Senate, Jackson rose to Assistant President Pro Temp. He also served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1972 and 1976 and was a delegate to the Democratic National Mid-Term Conference in 1974. |
| | Representative Troy Lee James
House: 1967-1998 (107th-122nd General Assemblies) Home: Cuyahoga County Occupation(s): Businessman Political Party: Democrat While in the Ohio House, James rose to become the most senior members of the House Democratic Caucus. He served as the chairman of the Economic Development and Small Business Committee as well as the Aging and Housing Committee. He served on the Rules Committee and was the Ranking Minority Member of the Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. |
| Representative Larry G.
Smith House: 1967-1972 (107th-109th General Assemblies) Home: Cuyahoga County Occupation(s): Crane Operator, Caterer, Businessman, Real Estate and Insurance Agent Political Party: Democrat In 1965, Democratic Party officials stripped Smith of his leadership position because he supported Carl B. Stokes for mayor rather than backing the party's endorsed candidate. In 1966, Smith ran for and was elected to the office of State Representative. His constituents re-elected him twice. After Smith left the House in 1971, he served as a lobbyist for Cuyahoga County and as an administrator in the county recorder's office. |